Factional Chairman Suspends Pdp Ward Congress In Anambra
Exactly two weeks to the June 26 governorship primary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra, Chief Chukwudi Umeaba faction of the party has stopped the ongoing ward congresses in the state.
Umeaba who addressed the media as the Ag Chairman, Caretaker Committee of PDP in Anambra said this at a news conference in Awka on Saturday.
He said he drew his powers from the Judgement delivered by Justice A.0. Adeniyi of Federal High Court Abuja in Suit No. HC/CV/774/2021 on June 9 which recognised him as Ag. Chairman of PDP in Anambra.
In the said suit, Samuel Anyakorah had on behalf of himself, Local Government and Ward chairman elected on Nov. 28 and Dec.1 2021 challenged the validity of Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu led State Executive Committee.
According to judgement which was made available to newsmen, the congresses which produced the plaintiffs were valid.
The PDP ward Congress to produce three-man adhoc delegates to the primary election held in the 326 political wards.
Umeaba said he would work with the national leadership of the party to get a new date for the Congress while assuring that his leadership would work to ensure victory for PDP in Nov. 6 governorship election.
According to him, I wish to state that my will work to conclude the outstanding responsibility reposed on us by the National Executive Committee and ready to work with all concerned to reposition PDP to winning ways.
“Based on above and in concert with terms of reference and in exercising the powers embedded in my position and PDP constitution make the following pronouncements:
“I have suspended the scheduled Ward Congress on June 9 to elect a three man delegate for the governorship primary.
” I will contact the NEC of our great party to give a new date for the Ward Congresses that will elect the three man ad hoc committee for the governorship primary.
“I will marshall out programmes for the growth and winning streaks of our great party, so, I appeal that all party faithful should remain calm and pray for progress as I promise to be fair to all,” he said.
Nwobu had dismissed the Court order sacking him and insisted that his leadership remained valid and substantive adding that Umeaba lacked capacity to suspend a valid Congress.
Nwobu said there was an existing judgment of an Abuja High Court delivered on May 24, 2018 which ruled that the Congress that produced him on Dec. 4, 2017 was valid and had not been vitiated by any court.
According to him, that judgment of May 24 by Hon. Justice O.A Musa of Abuja High Court in suit no. FCT/HC/CV/049/2017, said the Congress that gave birth to this exco was in tandem with the party guidelines and remains valid.
“No State Executive Committee including myself has power to conduct Congress, so he does not have power to suspend what he cannot initiate.
“The Congress Committee headed by the deputy governor of Taraba State has been in the state since Thursday and are concluding their work,” he said.
